Prudence, January's Virtue

What is the virtue of prudence?

   Prudence is right judgment. The natural virtue of prudence is about making right decisions from a purely natural perspective and the supernatural virtue of prudence is about making good decisions in accordance with God’s will, which is the very best for me, that will benefit me now and eternally.
   The natural virtue of prudence is basically common sense in sound judgment regarding practical matters. It assists people to arrange their lives and activities in order to achieve the goal of a happy life. It is naturally prudent to look both ways before crossing the street..
 
Why do we need the virtue of prudence?
   Prudence helps the intellect to see the right thing to do and to choose the right means for achieving it. Choosing wisely involves taking good counsel while obtaining knowledge from the past and present.  Prudence entails the application of good moral principles to particular cases allowing us to know what to seek and what to avoid. 
   Prudence is necessary in order to seek the common good for all.
   Teach children how to make good judgments, thereby developing the virtue of prudence. This will include seeking good counsel, studying the Catholic Faith, and growing strong in God’s grace through daily prayer and reception of the Sacraments.

Hope is the Virtue for November

Last month I let you know that each month this year the students in relgious education will be learning about a different virutue. Parents, look for a Home/School Connection to come home about the virtue of hope next week. This will help you to foster the growth of the virtue in your home.
What is the Virtue of Hope?   “Hope is the theological virtue by which we desire the Kingdom of Heaven and eternal life as our happiness, placing our trust in Christ’s promises and relying not on our own strength, but on the help of the grace of the Holy Spirit. ‘The Holy Spirit…He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that we might be justified by His grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life ’” (CCC 1817)  The supernatural virtue of hope allows eth possiblility for Christians to trust in God.  This grace is a gift of God.  Hope has to do with things that seem difficult or impossible to receive, such as salvation.  Hope tells us that God, Who promised us eternal salvation, will also give us the graces that we need for the journey to Heaven. He is faithful to His word, so we can put our trust in Him.  Hope sustains us at all times, especially when feelings of discouragement or abandonment seem to overwhelm us. Hope opens up our heart in expectation of future blessings and eternal beatitude.  Why do we need the Virtue of Hope  The supernatural gift of hope helps us to trust in God’s promises, opening our heart to His mercy.  Hope leads us to persevere in prayer, even when all reason for hope seems absent.  Hope offers to us joy and courage which sustains us in times of trial.  Hope allows us to live, grow and persevere in faith. St. John Vianney is the model of the Virtue of Hope.  He continued to pursue ordination to the priesthood, even after failing the examination. St. John Vianney persevered in hope even though he often trembled from a conviction of his personal inadequacy.  St. John wept for the sins of the penitents in confession and had the constant hope of seeing sinners turn back to God. St. John Vianney is also the Patron Saint of Priests and of Confessors.  Discussion Questions: Discuss what it means to have hope in the future.  How would you someone know you are a person of hope?  How does the Sacrament of Reconciliation relate with the virtue of hope?

Faith is the October Virtue of the Month

Each month this year the students in relgious education will be learning about a different virutue.  Parents look for a Home/School Connection to come home about the virtue they are working with for that month.  This will help you to foster the growth of the virtue in your home.  And you will find some of those ideas on this blog as well.  This month as the title of this blog tells you the virtue the catechists will be talking about is Faith:
What is this virtue?   “Faith is the theological virtue by which we believe in God and believe all that He has said and revealed to us, and that Holy Church proposes for our belief, because He is truth itself. By faith ‘man freely commits his entire self to God.’ For this reason the believer seeks to know and do God’s will. ‘The righteous shall live by faith.’ Living faith ‘works through charity’” (CCC 1814)  (Note: Theological means that this gift comes from God and leads us back to God.)
Faith is a grace, a power which enables us to believe and accept the truth. Faith is a supernatural virtue infused by God into the soul.  We believe in God because what He has revealed is the Truth.  We believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Jesus is Himself God.  We believe in the Holy Spirit because He is God.
Why do we need this virtue?   Faith makes us capable of living as God’s children and of inheriting eternal life. “Without faith it is impossible to please God” (Rom 11:6).  Faith disposes us to live in relationship with Jesus Christ. Christ is the only One who can save us; we need to cling to Him by faith.  Faith indicates the right moral behavior to be a disciple of Christ.  Faith is a constant and firm support, even in the most difficult times.• Faith helps us to know the existence of God’s mercy.  Faith enables us to see Christ in those around us, above all, the poor.
The saint that is given to us as an example of Faith is St. Joseph, the patron saint of carpenters.  He is the husband of Mary and the foster father of Jesus.